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By R. D. Williams

Several hydrometallurgical leach processes have been recently proposed for the recovery of copper from copper concentrates. These include the Cymet Process of Cypress Metallurgical Processes Corporation, the Arbiter Process of the Anaconda Company, and the Treadwell Process of Treadwell Engineering company(1). These processes and similar processes for recovery of other minerals, have several phenomenological similarities which make their quantitative description difficult at best. These include (a) the presence of more than one phase, (b) non-uniform mineralization of the feed concentrate, (c) surface and diffusional effects, and (d) a particle size distribution which varies with time. Semi-theoretical, rather than purely empirical, treatment of such processes in their developmental stages will result in a better understanding of the physico-chemical mechanisms in effect. This, in turn, will allow reliable process designs to be made on reasonable time scales for reasonable development costs. Once a production unit is built, such an approach will provide straightforward methods for process control and optimization. A research and development effort to determine criteria and procedures for semi- theoretically characterizing such mineral leach recovery processes has been initiated in a joint venture by the Arizona Bureau of Mines and the College of Mines at the University of Arizona. This group has as its task the mathematical characterization of hydrometallurgical leach recovery processes using semi- theoretical mechanisms for the underlying phenomena. The resulting models are experimentally verified and parameterized on the laboratory scale in such a way that they can be utilized with similarity criteria to provide reliable scaleup to production designs. This discussion will be centered around the elements of such an approach and how they fit together.

Jan 1, 1975

By D. V. Keller

The use of a static bath of a heavy liquid of intermediate density between two mineral phases has been employed for beneficiation for over one-hundred years (1-6). In the case of the heavy liquid separation of coal from its included mineral matter, laboratory (3) and commercial (2,4) techniques have employed a halohydrocarbon or mixtures thereof, or solutions of inorganic salts and water with a specific gravity in the range of 2.0 to 1.30. As a laboratory tool, the heavy liquid separation is generally regarded as a standard permitting the "ideal" separation of a product coal and reject mineral matter. Each of the products in this case is polyphase since the separation is only based on apparent specific gravity of the product or reject material. The "Otisca Process" is an anhydrous heavy liquid separation process which employs a parting liquid with certain physical and chemical characteristics which make it particularly advantageous for expanding the laboratory separation process into the realm of commercial coal cleaning. The two key characteristics of the parting liquid are: 1) the heavy liquid does not react significantly with the coal product or reject material, and 2) the liquid permits complete dispersion of the coal product particles throughout the separation bath. The first point, i.e., the lack of liquid coal reaction (7-11), may be cited as one of the major reasons for the failure of other attempts at commercialization of heavy liquid processes. For example, if reaction does occur between the heavy liquid and coal or mineral matter, complete heavy liquid recovery becomes a very expensive complex process. The costs of heavy liquids alone prohibit their loss in the process as will be demonstrated later.

Jan 1, 1977

By Sandeep Kumar Jeripotula, Govinda Raj Mandela, Aruna Manglapady

Dozer operators are frequently exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) during the execution of their work. Occupational exposure to WBV in Indian surface coal mines was evaluated by measuring vibration intensity and duration of exposure. A triaxial accelerometer was placed on the operator seat surface for taking the readings. Based on frequency-weighted root mean square acceleration equivalent to 8-hr shift duration, i.e., (A(8)) all dozer operators have exceeded an Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 0.5 m/s2 , and 90% of dozers did not exceed Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 1.15 m/s2 . Based on Vibration Dose Value (VDV (8)), all dozer operators have exceeded Exposure Limit Value (EAV) of 9.1 m/s1.75, but no dozer operators have exceeded Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 21 m/s1.75. Further, an epidemiological study was performed for identifying the extent of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dozer operators. For the detailed study, 42 dozer operators and 22 controls were selected from 2 surface coal mines. The control group was not exposed to WBV. It was seen from the cross-sectional study that pain in the lower back was predominantly higher (83.33%) in the exposed group when compared with the control group (31.81%). Likewise, pain in the neck (47.61%), shoulder (42.85%), knees (42.85%), and ankle (11.90%) was higher in the exposed group than that of the control group (22.71%, 0%, 45.45%, and 4.54%). A significant observation among the exposed group was that there was degradation in the quality of life. The outcome of the study would assist in monitoring and mitigation of machinery-induced vibration diseases (MIVD) in India and generally applicable to most of the mechanized mines as well. However, comprehensive studies are still needed to enunciate the magnitude extent.

By Zhiguo Chang, QINGXIANG CAI, Ebelia Manda, IZHAR MITHAL JISKANI, XIANG LU, Wei Zhou, Saleem Raza Chalgri

The concept of mine safety is highlighted in the literature of sustainable mining but not extensively discussed. This study analyzes various aspects of underground and surface mine safety and emphasizes its importance in the context of sustainable mining. More specifically, this research attempts to find the relationship between mine hazards and demographic characteristics, examine and compare the perceptual difference among miners, and determine the impact of mine hazards on workplace safety and safety climate. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, independent samples t test, and linear regression modeling were conducted to achieve study objectives. Results confirmed that mine hazards were significantly associated with age and experience. Miners perceived lower levels of management safety practices, followed by supervisor safety, coworker safety, and job safety. The analysis showed that underground miners reported lower safety scores than surface miners. There was a statistically significant difference between miners’ perception of safety climate (p < 0.05). The results showed that the higher prevalence of mine hazards predicts poor workplace safety and a low safety climate. The regression models revealed that mine hazards have a significant effect on workplace safety (p < 0.05) and safety climate (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the distinctive model of mine safety presented here contributes to the monitoring and design of comprehensive safety interventions and helps to better understand how certain factors interact on multiple levels to influence the overall safety of the industry. In this study, some suggestions are put forward to provide directions to develop a sustainable mine safety system.

Mar 27, 2020

By Stephen J. Swan

Feed-forward control (i.e. the forward flow of information in a control system ) is a simple and flexible approach to over-all control of a ball mill-rake classifier grinding circuit. The system described here uses mill power, feed rate, mill dilution water flow rate, and classifier dilution water flow rate only, to control mill load, throughput, mill solids, and classifier solids as well as classifier overflow grind. The mill load is controlled by a simple feed-back control loop, while mill solids and overflow grind are controlled within close limits by a unique non-linear feed-forward water control system. In effect the control follows a limited mathematical model of the grinding circuit. The configuration minimizes deviations in overflow grind due to changing ore conditions, but since it is open-loop, and the model is not complete, it is affected by changes in total ball charge and liner wear. These effects are fortunately gradual, and changes in the grind can usually be kept to within ± 1% of a target continuously for several days without adjustment. Control adjustments are made with feed-back from laboratory composites. This control system has won enthusiastic operator acceptance; it is easily started up and shut down; grind-outs have been eliminated along with flotation machine flooding and mill spills. Standard measurements and components are used throughout providing a trouble-free system design at a moderate cost.

Jan 1, 1970

By Martin B. Treuhaft

Expectations for coal in the early to mid-1970&apos;s prompted the government and industry to pursue research and development programs to increase underground and surface mining coal productivity and net coal recovery. Several programs concerned advanced surface mining methods for thin seam coal recovery. Three such programs, along with related areas of interest, are presented in this paper, namely: (1) extended depth augering for trench-strip applications; (2) high recovery auger heads for enhanced recovery; and (3) variable wall mining in low cover longwalls. Conceptual development is examined, prototype testing is discussed, and potential operations are considered.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. R. Gaw

Recent events pertaining to U. S. energy needs and development of alternative energy fuel resources have made the American public more aware of past and present coal mining operations, and their impacts on the nation&apos;s economy and environment. This awareness has developed rapidly due to increased government involvement and consequent media coverage. This is true particularly in the Western states and in Texas. One of the consequences of this increased public awareness is public concern over the perceived and real consequences of mining operations. Emphasis has been placed on potential releases of toxic and hazardous substances, and possible carcinogens. The result of this public concern is a mounting effort at both state and Federal levels to promote stricter laws regulating the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1992

New Mexico?s active coal mines have reclamation challenges that are being successfully resolved through the application of geomorphic grading methods. Soils and overburden material are often of poor quality, and annual precipitation is low. Revegetation on south and west aspect slopes often failed to persist. The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division had therefore been encouraging topographic diversity on reclamation to improve water harvesting and reduce the percentage of south aspect slopes. Steeply dipping, multiple coal seams may be mined by open pit methods. Structurally-controlled trellis drainage patterns that exist premine have to be replaced with dendritic drainage patterns on reclamation where the overburden had been pulverized. Sodic spoil material is prone to differential settling and the creation of piping features in areas where runoff ponds, which may lead to downslope instability. In each of these scenarios, the approximation of natural drainage patterns on the reclamation has reduced erosion and sedimentation by creating shorter slopes with correct profiles, and by improving conditions for revegetation establishment.

Jan 1, 2010

By MOHAMMED AMINE BELMI, ANAS DRIOUCH, ABDELAZIZ LAHMILI, LATIFA OUADIF

For many years, underground workings in the Bou Azzer mine have been challenged by geotechnical problems related to the serpentinite instability. The stage of evaluation of the compression potential is crucial to develop an appropriate drilling method and the choice of non-standard support. This research work presents a retro-analysis of serpentinite behavior in underground excavations at different depths, using a multi-approach method, based on several empirical and semi-empirical and theoretical-analytical methods, calibrated by the observational method. The analysis performed in this work reveals that underground excavations in Bouazzer East and Ait Hmane area would encounter compression problems that were recognized as the most serious from a depth of 300 m because of the effects of lithology and tectonics. Therefore, the Aghbar region has a slightly negligible compression potential. The compressive failure mechanism in this mine, depending on the mechanical strength, is started at induced stress of 9 MPa.

Nov 27, 2021

By Richard E. Hucko

The Coal Preparation Division of the Pittsburgh Mining Technology Center conducted an investigation to assess and compare the pyritic sulfur reduction potential of coal-pyrite flotation and high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS). Tests were run on three coals--an Upper Freeport bed coal, a Lower Kittanning bed coal, and a Pittsburgh bed coal--to establish grade- recovery relationships characteristic of both processes. Representative portions of each coal sample were crushed to two top sizes--nominal minus 35 mesh (0.5 mm) and nominal minus 100 mesh (0.149 mm)--and subjected to conventional froth flotation. The froth product was then beneficiated by coal-pyrite flotation or HCMS to provide a direct technical comparison of the two processes. At minus 35 mesh (0.5 mm), the size normally employed for coal flotation, both coal-pyrite flotation and HGMS effectively separated pyrite from coal, and the performance of the two processes was essentially the same. At a size of minus 100 mesh (0.149 mm) , however, the performance of HGMS exceeded that of coal- pyrite flotation. The separations effected by HGMS were more efficient at minus 100 mesh (0.149 mm) than at minus 35 mesh (0.5 mm). On the other hand, it was concluded that either the effectiveness of coal-pyrite flotation decreases with diminishing top size, or the process has not been optimized to treat material finer than 35 mesh (0.5 mm).

Jan 1, 1981

By Jonisha P. Pollard, F. Nasarwanji, Lydia M. Kocher

This study identifies nonfatal injury incidence rates, nature of injury, work activities, glove usage, and sources of hand and finger injuries in the U.S. mining industry, as reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from 2011 to 2017. Hand and finger injuries occur at a rate of 6.53 per 1000 full-time employees, which is nearly double the rate of the next highest affected body part, the back.

Feb 24, 2022

In this work, the crystallization of Carnallite from waste brine of Qaidam Basin in Qinghai province was studied based on NaCl-KCl-MgCl2-H2O phase diagram. According to this study, a new crystallization pathway to recycling waste brine was developed. The carnallite salt was formed by using this technology during the waste brine evaporation. The experiment data shows that 5 tons of waste brine was required to form one ton of the carnallite. The average grade of carnallite prepared by using this procedure was about 19.40% of KCl, 16.92% of NaCl, 28.80% of MgCl2, and 0.82% of CaSO4. This study provides an opportunity to utilization of the waste brine.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. Yadav, B. Behera, G. S. P. Singh

The size of chain pillars in the Indian geo-mining conditions is primarily decided in accordance with the regulatory provisions. These provisions are of little help for deep longwall workings, exceeding the cover depth of 360 m. Furthermore, these provisions are primarily meant to support pillars in bord and pillar workings. They may not be suitable for the chain pillars owing to a significant difference in layouts and functional requirements. Hence, it is imperative to develop a method to evaluate the stability of the chain pillar considering the complex loading and geo-mining conditions. To this end, a machine learning-based model was developed in this study to assess the stability of the chain pillars under high depth of cover considering the field-representative conditions. The data for this work was generated by conducting a parametric study using a field-validated numerical model. The strength and deformability parameters of the caved, fractured, and continuous deformation zones were established by calibrating the numerical model outcomes against the site-specific field observations. The developed ML model was used to evaluate the influence of pillar width, pillar height, cover depth, abutment angle, face length, coal strength, moduli ratio of the roof and floor strata to the coal seam, and the elastic modulus and unit weight of the overburden on the chain pillar stability. An interesting finding of this study showed that the factor of safety of the chain pillar increased with the increasing abutment angle, which may be indicative of the confining effect of the abutment angle on the pillar. Eventually, the ML model was verified by comparing its outcomes with the calibrated numerical model for a typical longwall working from Indian geo-mining conditions.

Oct 18, 2023

By R. D. Rein

The Henderson mine is a large continuous panel caving operation in central Colorado. The orebody is roughly 760 m by 910 m and will be extracted from two production levels. Each level is divided into three north - south panels 244 m to 317 m wide. The general arrangement of a production level and its associated undercut drifts is shown in Figure 1. The production drifts (3.6 m by 3.7 m) are spaced 24 m apart center to center and have undercut drifts (3.4 m by 3.8 m) 17 m directly above them. The production drifts are interconnected with drawpoint crosscuts (4 m by 4.3 m) driven on 12 m centers. Drawpoint crosscuts receive substantial brow steel and concrete support prior to undercutting. The brow steel is a 15 cm by 46 cm wide flange beam with a 2.5 cm wear plate to box in the &apos;cave&apos; side of the beam. The concrete is a minimum of 0.3 m thick and the batch design results in 27 500 kPa strength. The finished drawpoint opening is 3.7 m by 3.2 m with a choke area of 3.7 m by 2.4 m. (Figure la) Undercutting and bell formation is accomplished by blasting rings of 7.6 cm holes drilled from the undercut drifts. The rings have a burden of 2.0 m and six rings develop one complete bell.

Jan 1, 1985

By D. Tahija

"Carbonic acid prepared on-site from carbon dioxide gas is widely used in water treatment and increasingly in some industrial applications. It has not seen extensive use in mineral processing but is an attractive alternative to sulphuric acid for pH control, with the need to counteract high pH levels caused by cemented backfill of particular interest. The fundamental chemistry of carbonate solutions as applied to flotation and flocculation circuits is described as well as plant-scale application. A project to introduce use of carbon dioxide for pH control at the Hecla Greens Creek lead-zinc-silver-gold operation is planned to begin operation in the first half of 2015. INTRODUCTION Flotation pH Control and Backfill Most sulphide flotation circuits are run at pH values ranging from slightly acid to strongly basic, with slightly basic pH the most common. Lead sulphide circuits are typically run at values from 7.5 to 9, with zinc circuits running at higher values of 9.5 to 10.5. This has been the case with ores that produce a natural pH in the circumneutral range, so that the pH needs to be raised. Although lime [Ca(OH)2] is the cheapest reagent in use to raise pH, soda ash (Na2CO3) or caustic soda (NaOH) are also employed where sodium ions in solution are preferred to dissolved calcium, or, in the case of soda ash, the presence of carbonate is desired. The use of soda ash for pH control in lead circuits has been widely recommended for many decades (1). The situation is necessarily different at operations where cemented backfill is used in underground mines (2). Backfill, whether emplaced as rammed paste or pumped slurry, is composed of mill tailings mixed with around 10% Portland or similar cement. When later mining occurs near or adjacent to previously backfilled areas, a considerable amount of old backfill is inevitably mixed with new ore and shipped to the mill. Depending on orebody geometry, mining methods etc., the amount of backfill in mill feed can easily approach 20%, with periods of higher content not unheard of. The presence of so much backfill, with its high cement content, produces results largely indistinguishable from adding a large amount of lime to run-of-mine feed: mill pH in the grinding circuits can range above 11 and high concentrations of calcium ions are present. The need to raise pH disappears; the problem becomes to lower it."

Jan 1, 2015

By Aleksandar D. Bugarski, Dylan A. Ritter

The results of laboratory characterization of tailpipe emissions for three “clean” engines that meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 final emissions standards were used to assess the viability and effectiveness of repowering existing engines and powering new mobile equipment with those engines as a control strategy for reducing exposure of underground miners to diesel aerosol and criteria gases. The evaluated engines were representative of those that achieve the emission standards through implementation of various in-cylinder emissions control strategies, use of crankcase filtration, and use of three types of exhaust aftertreatment systems: (1) diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC), (2) combination of DOC and the full-flow wall flow monolith diesel particulate filter (DPF), or (3) combination of DOC, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, and ammonia slip catalyst (ASC). The study showed that the highest reductions in concentrations of diesel aerosols in underground workings, in terms of both mass and number, could be achieved if the engines, preferably in all power classes, are fitted with viable DPF systems. The use of U.S. EPA Tier 4 final engines equipped with DOC and DOC/SCR/ASC systems could help operators to considerably reduce mass, but not number concentrations of aerosols. The emissions of two of the evaluated engines, one equipped with DOC and the other equipped with DOC/DPF systems, were characterized by substantial secondary NO2 emissions that would limit the viability of those engines for underground mining applications. It appears that the catalyst formulations used in the exhaust aftertreatment systems of the “clean” engines marketed to the underground mining industry need to be formulated to minimize the potential for generation of secondary NO2 emissions. The results indicate that the engines fitted with viable SCR/ASC systems present a low-NO2 alternative. All three “clean” engines were found to have low CO output. Therefore, due to nuances associated with the use of diesel-powered mobile equipment in underground mines, special attention needs to be paid to the selection and potentially optimization of “clean” engines for underground mining applications.

Feb 1, 2025

By M. S. Fraley

As we compete for close margins in wholesale sales, the effects of both quality and price have a major impact on the cost of producing electricity.SO2 emission allowances have traded as low as$60/ton to as high as $215/ton over the last three years. This price spread in emission allowances clearly demonstrates the correlation between the quality of fuels versus the price utilities will be willing to pay for them. This paper provides an overview of the effects of the qualities of fuel, coupled with transportation as well as environmental concerns on the price of fuel and the ability to compete in a deregulated electric market.

Jan 1, 2000

By Rushikesh Battulwar, Javad Sattarvand, Joseph Seamons, Masoud Zare

In the last decade, new developments took place in the area of indoor positioning (or localization). Since the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) cannot be used in underground mines, other technologies are needed for localization. Positioning and communication options today primarily include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), etc. Smartphones and tablets currently have an array of sensors and radios, which can provide valuable information to allow indoor localization via various methods. Where mineworkers could keep smartphones with them, they can be highly effective at enabling localization and navigation. Recent applications of these technologies in underground mines have been thoroughly reviewed and examined for the likelihood of their utility for accurate localization where no other means exist. Some critical challenges and gaps that need to be addressed in future research have been identified.

Sep 5, 2021

By F. Carew

Accurate knowledge of what mass and grade is to hand and where it is stored is key to mine efficiencies and overall profitability. In order to make the right decisions and align production with stockpile capacity, feed and contract demand, a clear and accurate view from production through blending and processing is required. The use of a mine production management solution can provide you with a high degree of confidence in and visibility into validated data as well as auditable and traceable material movements, activities and surveys. A robust calculation engine enables mass and grade changes to propagate to material movements and stockpiles to ensure you are getting the most accurate view at all times. Tracked changes in material balances can be readily incorporated in revised production schedules to close the loop. The availability of accurate, timely information, coupled with predictive trend indicators, is a significant advance in narrowing the gap between claimed and planned production that is common to many mines, regardless of commodity. This paper provides an overview of a Mine Production Management System (MPMS) and explains how the system helps address the challenges listed above.

Jan 1, 2011

By Randall J. Essex

The Construction Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers recently published the second edition of a 1997 publication on geotechnical baseline reports. The new publication, called Geotechnical Baseline Reports for Construction, Suggested Guidelines, represents a 2-year effort that adds three new chapters to the original publication, as well as capturing practitioner commentary through two industry workshop sessions. The paper will overview the contents of the new publication, particularly the three new chapters.

Jan 1, 2008